Microbes Found to Convert Organic Matter Into Electricity

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts (UMass)
have found that a class of energy-harvesting microbes
known as "Geobacters" can convert organic matter into
electrical energy. In a January issue of Science magazine,
the researchers reported on how they built a simple battery
using mud from Boston Harbor and two graphite electrodes.
They then determined that Geobacters were responsible for
generating the electricity. After other microorganisms broke
down the large organic molecules in the mud into acetate,
the Geobacters were able to transfer electrons from the
acetate molecules to the graphite electrode, generating a
current. The Geobacters were also able to generate
electricity from toluene. One possible application, according
to the researchers, would be to harvest sediment on the
ocean floor to generate electricity for deep-sea submarines.
See the UMass press release.

More traditional technologies for harvesting ocean energy
draw on the mechanical energy of waves or tides and on the
thermal energy of the ocean. To learn more about these
technologies, see the EREN Ocean Energy page.